Over the last month or two, Paleo Banana Bread has been my nemesis - that is, however,untillast week.
You see, I'm reallyfussy when it comes to creating recipes for the blog. They have to be 110% perfect - and they have to be perfect for 3 batch tests (make it once, make it again and make it again - that's how you know the recipe is consistent).
Recently I've been trying to perfect a paleo banana bread recipe for you all as many readers have asked me for a Healthy Coconut Flour Banana Bread Recipe.
Well... let's just say I've called coconut flour some not so nicenames that we won't repeat on this family friendly blog....
I didn't want paleo banana bread that used sixteen eggs or umpteen different hard to find flours - and I didn't want half a pound of butter in it either. I was on a mission. A mission to create a healthy paleo banana bread recipe that had the least amount of ingredients possible, was fool proof andwasn't full of butter, oil or eggs.
And boy, oh boy, did I succeed. It's moist (and I hate that word, but it's necessary), fluffy yet just perfectly dense (like good banana bread should be), can be toasted to perfection or eaten on as is and it makes your kitchen smell like banana bread heaven.
Not to toot my own horn or anything (okay, I'm totally tooting my own horn) but this is the bestPaleo Banana Bread Recipe I have evertasted. You cannot for a second tell that it's grain free, gluten free, lower fat or lower sugar - you certainly cannot tell it's low carb and you seriouslycan't tell it's healthy. Best of all, even the coconut hating husband lovedit.
Now whilst I still think my "The Best Healthy Banana Bread Recipe" is the best ever regularhealthy banana bread - this is the best paleoversion - and I'm seriously having trouble deciding which I like best.
I never thought it would happen, but I'm a paleo banana bread convert. In the past I hatedwhat I'd tried - to eggy, too dense, too coconutty, too oily, too heavy, too blergh. I wondered about the sanity of those who swore by it untilI perfected my own recipe. And when I perfected this recipe - I danced around the kitchen like a lunatic and eagerly watched my next batch of bananas so I could try the recipe for a second and third time.
And when the next threebatches (because this banana bread disappeared in the blink of an eye) were just as good as the original - I knew I'd done it.... so I danced some more.
Seriously, sometimes the SIL kitchen is just a really lame dance club for the uncoordinated (aka: me) who dance with a mouth full of some successful baked good. Jesse never dances with me though - he just rates recipes ;)
But I promise, you'll probably be dancing with me (in spirit - though, feel free to invite me over for a slice!) in your own kitchen once you make a loaf of this banana bread.
So let me give you the recipe >>
Gluten Free, Paleo, Grain Free, Healthy, Banana Bread, Sugar Free, Dessert
Dessert, Baked Goods
Yield: 1 small loaf/9-10 slicesAuthor: Southern In Law
The BEST Healthy Paleo Banana Bread Recipe
The search for the Best Paleo Banana Bread Recipe is over - and this recipe is much healthier than most others out there! The recipe is lower fat, lower sugar, refined sugar free, gluten free, grain free and clean eating friendly and does not contain a tonne of eggs, oil or butter! The perfect texture and so easy to make!
prep time: 10 minscook time: 40 minstotal time: 50 mins
ingredients:
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp (250g/2 medium bananas) ripe mashed banana
- 2 1/2 tbsp (50g) honey
- 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 tbsp (50g) butter or coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsweetened applesauce
- 4 eggs (~200g)
- 1/2 cup (55g) coconut flour (I recommend this one for the best results!)
- 1/2 cup (50g) almond meal
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170C/340F.
- Grease and line a small loaf tin (we used thisdeep loaf tin) and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mash your bananas and add in your honey, vanilla, melted butter/coconut oil, applesauce and eggs.
- Mix in your coconut flour, baking soda and almond meal and allow to sit for two minutes. The mix will look really runny at first, but the coconut flour will soon absorb the liquid and form a thicker batter. It's more of a pancake batter consistency than a thick cake batter, however, if your mix is extremely liquidy, add in coconut flour one teaspoon at a time (I don't recommend doing this unless your coconut flour is not very absorbent - if you use this coconut flour you'll have a perfect batter!)
- Pour your banana bread mixture into your prepared loaf tin and bake for 40 minutes to an hour (keep an eye on it - cooking times will depend on your pan size) or until your loaf is cooked through and a skewer inserted into the middle removes clean.
- If your banana bread is browning too quickly but isn't cooked in the middle, cover it with foil.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing.
- We find this banana bread keeps best in a sealed container in the refridgerator and it will keep for up to a week. You can also freeze the slices by wrapping the slices individually and storing them in a sealed zip lock bag in the freezer.
http://www.southerninlaw.com/2014/09/the-best-healthy-paleo-banana-bread-recipe-low-fat-gluten-free.html
But tell me, are you a coconut flour fan?
What's one recipe you wishyou could perfect or make healthier?
This post may contain affiliate links.
FAQs
You can certainly include banana bread in a healthy diet, but this dish should be considered a dessert. Keep in mind that not all foods are created to be healthy. For example, cakes, ice cream, and sweet breads aren't meant to be the most nutritious foods you can eat. Desserts may not be a part of your everyday diet.
Why are older bananas better for banana bread? ›
Ripe bananas are not only softer and easier to mash and blend into a batter, but they are also sweeter, which is why baking recipes specifically call for ripe bananas in ingredient lists. As the bananas ripen, the fruit converts starches to sugars, making them sweeter and more flavorful.
When not to use bananas for bread? ›
If black bananas are spotted with mold, then it's time to step away! You absolutely should not use them for banana bread or consume them at all. At that point, it's wise to consign them to the trash can or compost.
Why does banana bread need salt? ›
Banana Bread Ingredients
Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, which means it helps the banana bread rise. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, but it won't make the loaf taste salty.\
Is banana bread good for weight loss? ›
Banana-nut bread is calorie-dense, meaning it has a lot of calories in a small serving, and may not fill you up adequately. Even if you manage to fit it into your restricted-calorie diet, it could leave you feeling hungry. Eventually, this hunger could lead you to abandon your diet altogether.
Is banana good for diabetics? ›
Bananas are a delicious, nutritious and affordable food for everyone, including those with diabetes. Eating this healthy fruit can help stabilize blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and improve heart health.
Can bananas be too overripe for banana bread? ›
As it sits at room temperature, starches convert to sugars, making the fruit sweeter and softer. These brown spots, often seen as a sign of spoilage, are actually a dead giveaway of peak banana bread potential. But, there is a limit. Black bananas or rotten bananas are a no-go.
How late is too late to use bananas for banana bread? ›
The best bananas for banana bread aren't yellow; they're black. Or they're at least streaked with black/brown, with just the barest hint of green at the stem. And again, the darker the better: there's no such thing as a too-ripe banana when you're making banana bread.
What time is not good to eat banana? ›
On top of that, our body's metabolism is at its lowest in the night. Therefore, one should ideally consume bananas in the morning or the evening and must avoid eating them at night.
Should you keep banana bread in the fridge or pantry? ›
Never store it in the refrigerator. A refrigerator circulates cool air, which removes moisture and can prematurely dry breads and cakes. Place your cooled loaf on a plate and cover it in plastic wrap, or store it in an airtight container. Store it for up to four days on your counter.
Cool completely on rack. Wrap and store at room temperature overnight before slicing. (We know it's hard to wait, but your bread will be more evenly moist and less crumbly if you let it sit overnight.)
Which is better for banana bread baking soda or baking powder? ›
As a general rule, you can use either baking soda OR baking powder in banana bread – both ingredients will make your banana bread rise. While baking soda will react with acidic ingredients in the batter to raise your bread, baking powder can leaven banana bread without the addition of acidic ingredients.
Can I use bread flour instead of all purpose for banana bread? ›
However, if you've already started whipping up a batch of your favorite whole wheat banana bread and suddenly realize you're out of all purpose flour, using bread flour in its place will work as a suitable replacement!
What happens if I forget to put salt in my banana bread? ›
When used in small amounts, salt reduces bitter flavors and enhances sweet, making your dessert bread divine. In larger amounts, it reduces the sweet and enhances umami, so your savory recipes stand out. If you forget the salt, your bread will likely taste bland unless you have other ingredients to compensate.
Is banana bread healthier than normal bread? ›
Banana bread not only satisfies our taste buds but also offers several health benefits that regular bread may not provide. With its nutrient-rich ingredients, reduced added sugars, healthier fats, and potential for customization, banana bread proves to be a delicious and nourishing choice.
What are the benefits of banana bread in the body? ›
Having good nutrients can boost energy and help perform daily activities better. Banana bread has healthy fats due to the presence of monounsaturated fats. It comes from ingredients like nuts and olive oil. Moreover, it also has the ability to balance blood sugar levels and lowering the level of cholesterol.
Is bread considered healthy or unhealthy? ›
The highly processed flour and additives in white, packaged bread can make it unhealthful. Consuming too much white bread can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. However, buying bread with the word “whole” as the first ingredient still does not guarantee a healthful product. It is only the first step.
Why should we eat banana bread? ›
Banana Bread is a delicious snack to manage blood sugar, support stress hormones & aid digestion. It has a moist texture due to the bananas and coconut oil, like a brownie. You can add more flour if you prefer a more cake-like texture.
